Techniques for implementing a framework for extensible applications

• US 6,349,408 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Anselm
• Primary Examiner(s): Dam, Tuan Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZHEN, WEI Y
• Application Number:
  US09/108,109
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 395/712, 717/11, 717/1
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57

Abstract

Techniques for providing extensible applications arc provided. A bundle or software module can be developed that is able to install itself within an application. The software module can also inform the application upon which services the software module depends so that if the required services are not available, the application can obtain them. An activation function can be defined in the software module that registers the services provided by the software module with the application so that the services can be available to other software modules.

Claims

1. In a computer system, a method for providing a software module within an application, the method comprising:

receiving the software module that is to be added to the application, the software module providing at least one service to the application;

calling an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application; and

calling a dependencies function of the software module that informs the application of services that are required by the software module.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising calling an activation function of the software module that registers with the application the at least one service provided by the software module.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein calling the activation function of the software module is performed automatically when an install function is invoked within the application.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising calling an updater function of the software module that installs a new version of the software module.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method of claim 1 is repeated for each software module of the application.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein calling the updater function of the software module is performed when an install function is invoked by the application.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the software module includes a plurality of software components.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a software module includes accessing the software module from a remote server.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the application is a Java program.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

calling an updater function of the software module that de-installs the software module.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

calling an updater function of the software module that installs one or more of the services that are required by the software module when the application determines that the one or more services are unavailable.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

calling an updater function of the software module that attempts to install one or more of the services that are required by the software module when the application determines that the one or more services are unavailable.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein calling the updater function of the software module is performed when an install function is invoked by the application.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein calling the installation function of the software module and calling the dependencies function of the software module are performed automatically when an install function is invoked within the application.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

calling the install function with an instance of the software module as a parameter.

16. A computer program product for providing a software module within an application, comprising:

computer code that receives a software module that is to be added to an application, the software module providing at least one service to the application;

computer code that calls an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;

computer code that calls a dependencies function of the software module that informs the application of services that are required by the software module; and

a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer readable medium is selected from the group consisting of CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, flash memory, system memory, hard drive, and data signal embodied in a carrier wave.

18. In a computer system, a method for defining a software module that is configured for installation within an application, the method comprising:

defining a service provided by the software module;

defining an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;

defining a dependencies function of the software module that indicates services required by the software module; and

defining an activation function of the software module that registers with the application the services provided by the software module.

19. The method of claim 18, further defining an updater function for the software module that installs a new version of the software module.

20. A computer program product of a software module configured for installation within an application, comprising:

computer code that retrieves information regarding active objects at a first point in time of the execution of an object-oriented program;

computer code that defines a service provided by the software module;

computer code that defines an installation function of the software module that creates an execution context for the software module within the application;

computer code that defines a dependencies function of the software module that indicates services required by the software module;

computer code that defines an activation function for the software module that registers with the application the services provided by the software module; and

a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the computer readable medium is selected from the group consisting of CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, flash memory, system memory, hard drive, and data signal embodied in a carrier wave.